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Power-line ruling

4 July 1998

Strong electric and magnetic fields should be classified as “possible human
carcinogens”, according to experts convened by the US National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences. Last week, a panel voted 19 to 9 in favour of
this rating, the lowest for a suspected cancer hazard. The experts urged further
research into the causes of higher leukaemia rates among children living near
power lines, but said they could find no apparent link between the fields and
other conditions such as Alzheimer’s and depression. The public will be able to
comment on the panel’s conclusions before Congress approves the final
report.